Swiss pair of silver watches for the Chinese market Circa 1890

Pair of silver centre seconds lever watches by Edouard Juvet
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A pair of small, Swiss, keywinding, silver lever pocket watches with centre seconds and open face, made for the Chinese market, circa 1890. Silver round shaped polished cases. Spring loaded and glazed cuvettes. White enamel dials with narrow Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, and original blued steel ovoid hands. Gilded brass movements with going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance (gilded brass), and blued steel flat hairspring. The case is signed and accompanied by a fitted box and one additional glass.
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Diameter: 33.5 mm
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Signed: Edouard Juvet
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Juvet was one of the important Swiss horological families working for the Chinese market. Edouard Juvet (1820-1883) established his workshop in Buttes in 1842  but, in 1844, moved to Fleurier. He began making ‘Chinese’ watches in 1856. Edouard’s sons, Ami-Louis and Léo, travelled to China to work in the family firm. In Shanghai, the Juvets were rivalled only by the Bovets, yet the two families maintained friendly relations. The Maison Juvet prospered, opening branches in Tien-Tsin and Saigon. In 1873, Edouard Juvet registered a trademark in Chinese characters used on the company’s products.